An Australian jockey died Tuesday after suffering a critical head injury from falling during a race.
Izzy Neale, 22, was riding in the one-mile Warren Shire Cotton Cup held in the Australian state of New South Wales on Sunday when she was thrown from her horse about a quarter-mile into the race, according to Racing NSW, which controls and regulates thoroughbred horse racing in the state.
Neale was airlifted Sunday while unconscious with the head injuries, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
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Her family released a statement through Racing NSW Tuesday, saying, “It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Izzy, surrounded by her closest family and friends. Izzy rode horses before she could walk. Her love of horses was a lifelong passion that, more recently, had grown into a love of racing. … We are deeply grateful for the love, kindness and support shown to Izzy and our family by her friends, the racing community and everyone who has been by our side during this heartbreaking time.”
Neale raced 699 times, winning 88 contests and placing in 269 races, according to Australian horse racing news site Racenet.
Scott Singleton, a trainer who Neale was working for, told the Sydney Morning Herald that “she was the nicest kid you would ever meet. We are heartbroken.”
Her death marked the first caused by a fall during a race in New South Wales since 2017.
Neale’s family said her organs will be donated and that the donation will “give others the chance of life, bringing some comfort to our family amid this devastating loss.”
The race that was scheduled to be run Sunday after the Warren Shire Cotton Cup was canceled. Racing NSW also postponed an event that was due to be held at Neale’s home track on Monday, moving it to Wednesday.
Marnoo, the 6-year-old gelding Neale was riding, was euthanized after injuring its left front leg during the fall.
Another jockey, Diego Montes de Oca, was also thrown from his horse, Shadow Dane, at the same distance in the race. He suffered a soft tissue injury to his left foot and was released from the hospital Sunday, Racing NSW said.
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